Dear Camille,

The woman in the cubicle next to me eats potato chips, crunchy nuts and crackers every day. I've asked her to stop, but she persists. What do I do? Our boss is not someone I can talk to about this..."

Getting on my last nerve in Pacific Beach

Dear Last Nerve,

All-righty now...we have all been there.  The oaf who just doesn't get it.  The cubicle monkey that is constantly creating discord in the tribe. If you have talked to this revered co-worker and she refuses to play nice, you may have to get down to her level.  Just temporarily.  To raise her awareness of what an annoyance it is. 

Have you considered bubble gum?  Chewing and poppin' it, that is.  But  ONLY when no one else is around to hear or witness this professional reputation killing behavior.  See if she breaks...and if so, call a truce...no crispy snacks from her side of the cubical farm and no gum poppin' from your side. 

If that doesn't work, some discrete earplugs available at you local drug store are in order.  Believe me...you CAN still hear what is going on around you with them in.  In the meantime, her cholesterol will still be sky high from eating all that junk.